Volume: 1; Issue: 6; November-2015; pp 147-155.

ISSN: 2454-5422
AN OVERWIEW OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN INDIA
Dr.T.Selvakumar* and Dr.S. Karthikeyan
Assistant Professor in Economics, V.H.N.S.N.College (Autonomous), Virudhunagar, India.
Assistant Professor in Economics, The Madura College (Autonomous), Madurai, India.
*Corresponding Author E-mail:

selvakumar12mku@gmail.com

Abstract
India is rich in wildlife with its exclusive fascinating and adverse ecosystem. The seventh largest
county of the world covers an area of 3,287,950 km. The forests national parks, forest reserves
and sanctuaries form around 22% of the total area. India is among the twelve mega biodiversity
countries of the world .countries wildlife is extended over the evergreen forests of north east
India to barren deserts of Rajasthan and from alpine forests of Himalaya to the Western Ghats.
The

present

paper

brings

the

information

regarding

the

Indian

scenario,National

parks,Sanctuary,wildlife Conservation,AnimalWelfare,Indian Board of Wild life, Project

elephant Respectively.
Key words: Wild Life, Conservation, Endangered Species, Government of India, Programmes
Introduction
India is rich in wildlife with its exclusive fascinating and adverse ecosystem. The seventh largest
county of the world covers an area of 3,287,950 km. The forests national parks, forest reserves
and sanctuaries form around 22% of the total area. India is among the twelve mega biodiversity
countries of the world .countries wildlife is extended over the evergreen forests of north east
India to barren deserts of Rajasthan and from alpine forests of Himalaya to the Western Ghats.

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In recent decades, human encroachment has posed a threat to India's wildlife; in response, the
system of national parks and protected areas, first established in 1935, was substantially
expanded. In 1972, India enacted the Wildlife Protection Act and Project Tiger to safeguard
crucial habitat; further federal protections were promulgated in the 1980s. Along with over 515
wildlife sanctuaries, India now hosts 18 biosphere reserves, 9 of which are part of the World
Network of Biosphere Reserves; 26 wetlands are registered under the Ramsar Convention
National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and Development
The National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and Development,
1992, the National Forest Policy 1988, and the Policy Statement on Abatement of Pollution,
1992 are the major policy instruments of the Government for dealing with various problems of
environment and development in a comprehensive manner. These documents also form the basis
for devising strategies, schemes and programmes and regulations for ensuring integration of
environmental considerations in the development activities of the various sectors, thus paving the
way for achieving sustainable development.
Biosphere Reserves
Areas rich in biodiversity and encompassing unique and representative ecosystems are identified
and designated as Biosphere Reserves to facilitate conservation of India s immense biological
diversity which is estimated to be over 47,000 plant species and 81,000 animal species,
representing about 7% of the world s flora and 6.5% of world s fauna, respectively. Nearly
15,000 flowering plants are endemic to the country and in the case of fauna, the extent of
endemism is estimated at about 62%.
Biodiversity Conservation
The scheme on Biodiversity Conservation was initiated during 1991-92 to ensure coordination
among various agencies dealing with issues relating to conservation of biodiversity, and to
review, monitor and evolve adequate policy instruments for the same.
Pursuant to the ratification of the Convention on Biological Diversity by India on 18th February,
1994, several steps have been initiated to meet the commitments under the Convention, and to
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realize the opportunities offered by the Convention. These efforts aim at bringing the legislative,
administrative and policy regimes in tune with the three-fold objectives of the Convention.
Forest Conservation
Conference of State Forest Secretaries, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief
Wildlife Wardens
A conference of State Forest Secretaries, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief
Wildlife Wardens was organised at SCOPE Complex, New Delhi on 25-26th September, 1997 to
deliberate on a number of important issues relating to Forest Policy, Conservation and Protection
of Forests, Afforestation, Conservation of Wildlife, and issues of North-Eastern States. The
conference was structured into three working groups dealing with general forestry, wildlife, and
issues relating to North-Eastern States. The recommendations of the conference are under
examination in the Ministry.
Indian Scenario
The country has consisting various types of species are as

350 species of mammals

1224 of birds
408 of reptiles
197 of amphibians
2546 of fishes
57548 of insects, 46286 species of plants of which from 8% of the worlds
diversity of life forms.

The country has 606 protected areas comprising 96 national parks and 510 wild life sanctuaries
with overlapping of 30 Tiger reserve and 26 elephant Reserve wich over 4.58% of the total
geographic area and 22.12% of total forest cover of the country.
National Parks
There are important national parks in our country. They are
(i) Bandhavgarh National park (M.P.)
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(ii) Bandipur National Park (Karnattaka)

(iii) Corbett National Park (Nainital )
(iv) Kazi Ranga National Park (Jorhat, Assam)
(v) Hazaribagh National Park (Hazaribargh, Bihar)
(vi) Biological Park (Orissa)
(vii) Kahna National Park (M.P)
Sanctuary
The Indian Board of wild life has defined a sanctuary as an era where killing hunting, shooting or
capturing of any species of bird or animal is prohibited except by or under the control of higher
authority in the department responsible for the management of the sanctuary. The sanctuary aims
at providing maximum protection preservation of wild animals.
Some of the important wild life sanctuaries found in our country are:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
xi.
xii.
xiii.
xiv.

Someshwar wild life (Karnataka)

Chandraprapha Sanctuary (Varanasi U.P.)
Gandhi sagar wild life sanctuary (M.P.)
Gautam Buddha wildlife Sanctuary (Gaya, Bihar)
Hazaribagh wild life Sanctuary (Kohima, Nagaland)
Manas wild life sanctuary (Barpetta, Assiam)
Periyar wild life Sanctuary (Kerala)
Ghana Bird Sanctuary (Bhart-pur, Rajasthan)
Malapatti Bird Sanctuary (Karnataka)
Vedanthangal Bird sanctuary (Tamilnadu)
Kalakadu Tiger Reserve (Tirunelveli, Tamilnadu)
Mudumalai wild life (Nilgiris, Tamilnadu)
Koodankulam Birds Sanctuary (Tirunelveli, Tamilnadu)
Simlipal Tiger Reserve

Wildlife Institute of India

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) organized four courses and 52 officers and students were
trained during the year. Efforts to build-up professional managers for protected areas through
training of professional cadre in all aspects of wildlife were continued at the WII. A number of
research projects have been started and some projects have been completed and reports published
(More details of the WII are given under Chapters 7 and 8).

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Control of Illegal Trade

Effective measures were taken for control of illegal trade in wildlife and its products at national
and international levels, both through the States as well as the regional offices of Wildlife
Preservation under this Ministry. The Subramaniam Committee appointed to look into the issues
related to illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products, has recommended several measures for
strengthening anti-poaching infrastructure and arrangements. The implementation of the
recommendation of the Committee are being pursued with the State Governments.
The National Coordination Committee (NCC), set up to promote effective inter-departmental coordination for the control of illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products in the country had one
meeting during the year. The Committee comprises representatives from Directorate of Revenue
Intelligence, CBI, BSF, ITBP, Commissioner of Police, ND, RPF, New Delhi, Deptt. of Post and
Telegraph, Army Head Quarter, Traffic India and Reg. Dy. Directors of Wildlife Preservation,
Western, Northern, Eastern and Southern Regions.
Wildlife (Protection) Act. 1972, Revision
In order to make implementation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 more effective, an Interstate Committee was set up to review the Act. The report submitted by the Committee has been
circulated to all the State Government s and Ministries for their comments and further action will
be taken in consultation with the Ministry of Law.
Project Tiger

The Centrally Sponsored Scheme Project Tiger was launched on 1st April, 1973 to
achieve the following objectives :

To ensure maintenance of a viable population of tigers in India for scientific, economic,

aesthetic, cultural and ecological values.

To preserve for all times, areas of such biological importance as national heritage for the
benefit, education and employment of the people.

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At present, there are twenty three Tiger Reserves in fourteen States of the country covering an
area of 33,000 sq. kms. The list of Tiger Reserves is given in Table - 1.
Table - 1 Tiger Reserve
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sl. Year of Name of Tiger Reserve
State
Total area
No. creation
(In Sq. Kms.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. 1973-74 Bandipur
Karnataka
866
2. 1973-74 Corbett
Uttar Pradesh
1316
3. 1973-74 Kanha
Madhya Pradesh
1945
4. 1973-74 Manas
Assam
2840
5. 1973-74 Melghat
Maharashtra
1677
6. 1973-74 Palamau
Bihar
1026
7. 1973-74 Ranthambhore
Rajasthan
1334
8. 1973-74 Similipal
Orissa
2750
9. 1973-74 Sunderbans
West Bengal
2585
10. 1978-79 Periyar
Kerala
777
11. 1978-79 Sariska
Rajasthan
866
12. 1982-83 Buxa
West Bengal
759
13. 1982-83 Indravati
Madhya Pradesh
2799
14. 1982-83 Nagarjunsagar
Andhra Pradesh
3568
15. 1982-83 Namdapha
Arunachal Pradesh
1985
16. 1987-88 Dudhwa
Uttar Pradesh
811
17. 1988-89 Kalakad-Mundanthurai
Tamil Nadu
800
18. 1989-90 Valmik
Bihar
840
19. 1992-93 Pench
Madhya Pradesh
758
20. 1993-94 Tadoba-Andheri
Maharashtra
620
21. 1993-94 Bandhavgarh
Madhya Pradesh
1162
22. 1994-95 Panna
Madhya Pradesh
542
23. 1994-95 Dampha
Mizoram
500
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Total
33126
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

During 1997-98, an amount of Rs. 1355 lakhs has been provided as central assistance for
development and maintenance of Project Tiger areas under this scheme. The major
activities include construction and strengthening of various buildings, roads, water
conservation and communication network, setting up of research and veterinary units and
interpretation centres in the Tiger Reserve areas.

All India tiger population estimation was carried out in the country during the year 1997.

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Under the scheme Eco-development around important protected areas an amount of Rs.
250 lakhs has been provided for the Tiger Reserve areas during 1997-98. Further, an
amount of Rs. 1600 lakhs is also being spent under the India Eco-development Project for
assisting seven selected Project Areas, which will be provided by the World Bank under
the Global Environmental Facility.

Under the Beneficiary Oriented Scheme for Tribal Development an amount of Rs. 135.00 lakhs
is available during the year for voluntary relocation of tribal families from the Protected Areas.
Wild life conservation
Conservation is defined as sound preservation management and rational use of the available
renewable natural resources. The scare wild lives which are in grip of the extinction can be
protected by various methods of conservation of wild life. The endangered species should be
protected through creation of wild life sanctuaries and reserved forests. Thus wild life can be
preserved and protected by adopting the following important measures
1. Study of habitat
2. Protection of habitat
3. Improvement of habitat
4. Strengthening and enforcing legal provisions
5. Prohibiting housing
6. Research in wild animals
7. Veterinary service and prevention diseases
8. Breeding farms
9. Creating of national parks and sanctuaries
10. Afforestation
Animal Welfare
The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) was set up in 1962 with its headquarters at
Chennai, under the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (PCA Act
1960). The Board consists of 28 members representing the Government of India, the veterinary
profession, municipal bodies, practitioners of modern and indigenous systems of medicines,
Animal Welfare Organisations of the country and humanitarians. Two members of the Rajya
Sabha and four members of the Lok Sabha are also on the Board. It is an autonomous body

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working under the administrative control of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. The main
objectives of the Board are to:

Advise the Government from time to time on matters relating to enforcement of the
PCA Act 1960.

Enlist the cooperation and coordinate the activities of the Animal Welfare
Organisations of the country.

Provide financial assistance for implementing various schemes for the welfare of the
animals.

Generate awareness in favor of animal welfare by publication of resource materials,

exhibitions, film shows, seminars, workshops, camps etc.

Indian Board of Wild Life

The Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL), the apex advisory body in the field of wildlife
conservation in the country, headed by the Prime Minister, consists of 10 non-officials, five
NGOs, three MPs and thirty official members. During the year two meetings of the IBWL were
held under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister, and one meeting of the Standing Committee of
IBWL was held under the Chairmanship of the Minister for Environment and Forests. Follow up
action on the recommendation of these meetings has been initiated.
Project Elephant
Project Elephant was launched in 1991-92 to assist States having free ranging populations of
wild elephants to ensure long term survival of identified viable populations of elephants in their
natural habitats. States are being given financial as well as technical and scientific assistance for
achieving the objectives of the Project.
During the year an amount of Rs. 4.50 crores was allocated to the elephant range States for
habitat management, management of man-elephant conflict, payment of ex-gratia relief for loss
of life etc., strengthening of anti-poaching measures, capture and translocation of problem
elephant populations etc.

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Financial assistance was also provided to the States of West Bengal and Assam to capture eight
problem elephants in order to reduce man-elephant conflicts. An amount of Rs. 182.41 lakhs was
released during the year to the elephant range States to strengthen their antipoaching and anti
depredation activities.
Conclusion
A number of factors are threatening the existence of wild animals. Among these the important
ones are the loss of habitat; poaching, accidents and wild life health related. Although the
government has taken various efforts to protect the wildlife as well as natural resources. Hence
there are so many policy measures, rules and regulations to conserve the forest and wild life in
India.

Reference
Carrier in Wild Life Employments News 2008 1521. Nov.
Ministry of Environment andForest, Government of India.
Subbaiah A and Jeyakumar S 2008 Wild life Tourism in India. Kishan World, March
Tripathy S N and Sunakarpanda 1999 Fundamentals of Environmental studies. Virinda
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